After a difficult season of infighting, a change in management, and conflict between coach and players, the Virginia Beach Mariners are hoping the changes that were made off the field will produce better results where it counts. A strong commitment from owner Mike Field, who overtook ownership of the team during its darkest hour, has many people in the soccer community believing the organization has made the turn and should be a team to deal with come the season opener April 18.
2002 REVIEW
2OO2 saw the team finish under .500 for the first time in the history of the organization. Some shining individual performances were overshadowed by the overall inexperience of the club. When coupled with the front-office problems, it was a difficult season for all concerned. The low point of the season had to be when all players were released and were told they could resign for a small per game stipend. Add to this the dissention between players and Coach Shawn McDonald and few thought the team would survive. After a brief time under league ownership, local businessman and soccer fan Mike Field bought the team and made a commitment to McDonald and the local soccer community to provide the opportunity for a successful franchise in the Hampton Roads area.
2003
The offseason has been one of many changes for the Virginia Beach Mariners, a name change sparked by Field. The addition of an assistant coach and equipment manager has given McDonald the backroom staff to go out and get the talent to be successful in the A-league. "I think the addition of (assistant coach) Mark Simpson is one of our biggest and best moves" expressed McDonald. Simpson brings his experience as a successful goaltender for MLS outfit D.C. United to a club that suffered all season on the defensive end.
Scoring was a major concern for the Mariners last year and they feel that they have taken the steps to help the situation by signing Roy Lassiter, the all-time leading scorer in MLS history. "I think he is a hungry player…and really wants to get back on track, so I think the attitude is there", stated McDonald referring the fact that Lassiter was goalless last year in MLS play. Other faces to watch are Costa Rican national team member Juan Carlos Arguedas, who led all scorers in his country's domestic league in 2001 and last year's leading scorer Gary Brooks.
The goaltending duties will be contested by last year's surprise finding Joe Larson and returning keeper Matt Nelson. "Coming in the job is wide open," Simpson stated and continued " I would like to create a good healthy competition where they push each other and can be positive to one another." The defensive midfield will be an area of concern for the coaching staff and will have to be addressed early in the season.
THE COMPETITION
The Mariners may be part of the toughest division in A-league soccer. The Richmond Kickers were one goal away from winning the league title and will be hoping to improve on that this year. When asked to asses the division McDonald said, "Charleston and Richmond have done very well over the last three years and we are fighting against them and only two teams make the playoffs." Although Charleston and Richmond topped the list McDonald is not forgetting about the other clubs in the division.
"Atlanta had a very good team last year….Charlotte is a very solid team, a very difficult team to beat (and) one you can't take lightly."
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN
Eight of the first 10 games for the Mariners will be played at the Sportsplex. This should give the team the opportunity to see where they are and determine if the changes made in the offseason have resulted in positive results on the field. The key for the season will be how well the team can come together and how soon they will be able to function as one unit. The ownership has made the commitment to the fans by bringing in the necessary parts to make a successful franchise. The coaches have set their sights high for the upcoming season as well.
"I would be disappointed if we don't do something in the playoffs. I would like to be an exciting team attacking wise. To be that way you need players that can take care of the ball, but you also need speed and players that are willing to go past defenses. I think we have enough of those players."
The coaching staff is aware that after last season some fans will be a bit skeptical about the new look Mariners. When asked if the team could move forward from last year's troubles, McDonald feels they can. "From the players we have signed you can see we have potential. I would hope that it is very clear to everybody that it is a new season and a new chance. Let's work hard from day one."
After opening a weeklong session of two-a-day sessions on March 21, the club will travel to Wilmington for a preseason friendly against the Hammerheads March 29. Fans and organization members alike are hoping the winds of change will blow the Mariners to the top of the A-league standings.
